Mathew Horne plays Malvolio in Twelfth Night at Sheffield's Crucible

Mathew Horne plays Malvolio in Twelfth Night at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre. The production is directed by Jamie Glover. It runs from 10 to 31 October 2026, as announced for the venue's Shakespeare double bill WhatsOnStage.

Bebe Sanders plays Viola, who also appears as Cesario. Harry Redding plays alongside Sanders in the twin roles at the centre of the story. The pairing puts a brother and sister at the heart of the show.

Justina Kehinde plays Olivia. Fode Simbo plays Orsino. The four roles form the central group around which the comedy turns, according to casting reported in WhatsOnStage.

The company is a repertory cast, meaning the same group of actors appears in more than one play in a season. This group recently completed a run of King Lear at the Crucible. Audiences can therefore see many of the same performers in two different Shakespeare plays in quick succession.

Working that way takes extra rehearsal. Actors learn two shows at once. Designs and schedules have to allow one play to follow the other on the same stage.

Amanda Stoodley is the set and costume designer for Twelfth Night. That job covers the look of the stage and the clothes worn on it. In practice it includes everything from walls and furniture to coats and boots.

Her credit was confirmed when casting for the Sheffield season was announced in July. Set and costume credits are normally fixed early. They guide what is built, bought and fitted before rehearsals finish.

Sheffield Theatres confirmed a public dress rehearsal for Fri 9 October Sheffield Theatres. A public dress rehearsal is a full run-through, watched by an audience, held before the official opening. It took place the night before the run began on 10 October.

WhatsOnStage has published a review titled "Twelfth Night at the Crucible Theatre – review". The review appeared on 19 October, midway through the run. A review records a response to the opening. It does not change the dates or the casting.

For anyone new to the set-up, the Crucible is Sheffield Theatres' thrust-stage auditorium in the city centre. A thrust stage extends into the audience on three sides. That shape keeps actors close to the crowd. The nearest seats are near enough to see faces clearly.

The production closes on 31 October. Performances continue until the end of the month. Anyone planning to go can check availability for the remaining October dates.